Author says ban on her book reflects Taliban’s repression of women

Books by Afghan and Pakistani authors are displayed in a store in Peshawar, Pakistan, March 14, 2025. The Taliban have banned 400 titles in Afghanistan.
Books by Afghan and Pakistani authors are displayed in a store in Peshawar, Pakistan, March 14, 2025. The Taliban have banned 400 titles in Afghanistan.

When Naveeda Khoshbo published her book of political analysis in 2019, she received widespread praise and recognition.

For many, “it was the first time that they were reading a book written by a young woman,” she said.

So, when she received a text message from a friend and fellow journalist in November 2024, telling her the Taliban had banned her book, she was shocked.

Khoshbo, 33, said she can’t figure out why the book, “Siyasi Jaj” or “Political Analysis,” was banned, saying “it did not address any sensitive topics.”

Published by the Peace Publish Center in Kabul, her book covers political events and processes from 2001 to 2019.

But last year it was included in a list circulated on social media of more than 400 books banned by the Taliban.

The list covers a range of topics: democracy, the arts, literature, poetry, history, religion, governance, rights and freedoms.

The Taliban’s deputy minister for the Ministry of Information and Culture, Zia-ul Haq Haqmal, told media his department had identified 400 books deemed “against Afghanistan’s national interest and Islamic values.”

‘Hostility is directed at women’

Khoshbo believes her book also was banned because it was written by a woman. She is now based in London.

“I believe their hostility is directed at women, and for them, the books written by women are the first to be targeted, regardless of their content,” she said.

About a dozen titles in the book ban are by women, or they were translated by women. Other titles include the book by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, “I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education.”

The Taliban, who seized power in August 2021, have imposed strict measures against women in Afghanistan, barring them from education, work, long-distance travel and participating in public life.

UN urges Taliban to end restrictions on girls on International Women’s Day

Afghan writer Nazeer Ahmad Sahaar told VOA the Taliban jettison anything they see as contrary to their ideology.

“Anything that is against the Taliban’s political and religious beliefs and narrative is banned under the Taliban,” said Sahaar.

The author has written more than a dozen books. One of those, “Waziristan: The Last Stand” is also on the list of banned publications.

Sahaar sees the book ban as part of a larger crackdown on “women, the press and freedom of expression.”

Sahaar said the ban on books, though, is of little surprise.

“It was evident that they would impose restrictions in many areas,” he said.

Alongside the book ban and restrictions imposed on women, the Taliban return has led to restrictions on freedom of expression.

Media outlets work under rules that are not always clear about what can and cannot be covered, and in some cases must submit coverage for review before publication.

The Taliban also imposed restrictions on printing books.

An owner of a printing press in the eastern province of Nangarhar, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told VOA that the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture instructed publishers not to print anything without prior permission.

“In a meeting with publishers, the Taliban officials said that ‘if you are publishing any book, you must first obtain permission from the directorate,'” said the business owner.

The owner said that businesses are struggling under the Taliban, but there is an increased demand for books, particularly ones that are banned.

“The Taliban’s restrictions have sparked social and cultural resistance,” he said, with people seeking ways to oppose the limitations, including by reading prohibited books.

‘It reflects the fear’

Abdul Ghafoor Lewal, an Afghan writer and former diplomat, told VOA the Taliban’s actions reveal fear of any opposition.

“It reflects the fear authoritarian regimes have of freedom of expression, books and knowledge,” said Lewal.

Khoshbo said the Taliban’s ban would not stop her and other women from writing and participating in social and political life.

“The Taliban can’t suppress our voices by “banning books,” said Khoshbo, but “women can’t be erased from society and politics.”

Author says ban on her book reflects Taliban’s repression of women
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Afghanistan denies link to train attack in Pakistan

 Locator map of Sibi, in Balochistan province, Pakistan
Locator map of Sibi, in Balochistan province, Pakistan

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Pakistan’s assertions “baseless,” in a statement Thursday.

“We categorically reject baseless allegations by Pakistani army spokesperson linking attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement posted on X.

Militants linked with the banned Baloch Liberation Army attacked a passenger train Tuesday near Sibi, Balochistan, taking hundreds hostage.

Militants attack train, take hostages in Pakistan’s Balochistan province

At least 21 passengers and four paramilitary troops died in the attack. The military claimed the killing of 33 terrorists.

During a visit to Quetta for a high-level security meeting Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told media 339 passengers were rescued.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Pakistani military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations, had earlier said attackers collaborated with partners in Afghanistan.

“During the operation, these terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phone,” Chaudhry told a private news channel as he declared the clearance operation over Wednesday night.

Later, the military’s media wing reiterated the assertion.

“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with terrorists throughout the incident,” a statement from the ISPR said.

Rebutting the claim, Balkhi said Islamabad must address internal issues.

“[We] urge Pakistani side to focus on resolving their own security and internal problems instead of such irresponsible remarks,” the Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson said..

Tuesday’s attack marked a dramatic escalation in the separatist insurgency that has ravaged Balochistan for nearly two decades.

The militants blew up tracks, bringing the train with nearly 450 passengers to a halt in a tunnel, where they stormed it.

Survivors told VOA the attackers singled out security personnel and ethnic Punjabi passengers, shooting many.

Eyewitnesses give harrowing account of Pakistan train attack

“Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” the military said in written comments to the media Wednesday, repeating an increasingly frequent demand.

On Thursday, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, repeated Islamabad’s stance.

“We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice,” Khan told media at the weekly briefing.

Balkhi rejected the allegation that Baloch separatists have put down roots across the border.

“No members of Balouch opposition have presence in Afghanistan, nor have they ever had or have any links with the Islamic Emirate,” Balkhi said in his post on X. The Taliban refer to their government as the Islamic Emirate.

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorism in the last year, with deaths rising by nearly 45% in 2024 from the year before.

The country now ranks second on the Global Terrorism Watchlist with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an ideological offshoot of the Afghan Taliban, and the separatist Baloch Liberation Army emerging as the deadliest outfits.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan this week, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, said Kabul was failing to rein in Baloch separatists.

“The Kabul authorities have failed to address the threat posed to the region and beyond by other terrorist groups, such as al Qaida, the TTP and Baloch terrorists, including the BLA and the Majeed Brigade, which are present in Afghanistan,” the Pakistani envoy said Monday.

Afghanistan denies link to train attack in Pakistan
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10 Km of TAPI Gas Pipeline Completed in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

The TAPI gas pipeline in Afghanistan has completed 10 kilometers of construction.

Hamayon Afghan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of the Taliban administration, announced that the practical work on the TAPI gas pipeline project in Afghanistan has made 10 kilometers of progress.

On Saturday, March 15, Afghan shared a video clip revealing the acceleration of the TAPI project’s work as the weather warmed up.

According to Afghan, the TAPI project is one of the government’s priorities in the energy infrastructure sector, and there are hopes for its swift completion.

The TAPI pipeline is a major regional project that aims to transport Turkmenistan’s gas through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

This project was launched in 2015 in Merv, Turkmenistan, by the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, and was inaugurated in Afghanistan in 2017.

It is worth noting that the implementation of this project was delayed due to insecurity in Afghanistan. The TAPI project is one of the largest regional projects, with a length of 1,821 kilometers and an annual gas transmission capacity of 33 billion cubic meters.

Meanwhile, significant progress has been made on the TAPI project, the challenges posed by security concerns in Afghanistan remain. The successful completion of the project could significantly impact the region’s energy landscape, fostering closer cooperation among neighboring countries. However, continued efforts will be required to ensure its timely and secure completion.

10 Km of TAPI Gas Pipeline Completed in Afghanistan
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Retirees Protest in Kabul: ‘We Want Our Rights’

The protesting retirees stated that they are enduring severe economic hardships, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Following previous gatherings of retirees, a number of them once again held a protest today (Saturday) in front of the Pension Treasury Directorate, demanding the payment of their overdue pensions.

The protesting retirees stated that they are enduring severe economic hardships, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

They say that for nearly four years, they have been gathering almost daily at the doors of the Pension Treasury, hoping to receive their pension payments.

Abdul Hanan Oryakhil, one of the retirees, told TOLOnews: “We only want the pension we used to receive every year. Our wives and young children also have the right to receive our pension.”

Abdul Khaleq, a representative of the retirees, said: “We have served this country, and our beards turned white in service. We roamed the mountains and dedicated our lives to this land. As you can see, all these retirees are facing economic hardship.”

Among the protesters, a former Ministry of Defense employee told TOLOnews that he is now struggling with countless challenges day and night.

Qader, another retiree, told TOLOnews: “We don’t have flour at home, no oil, nothing. Our pensions must be paid. The UNAMA office and the United Nations exist, but we have not received any assistance so far.”

Previously, the leader of the Islamic Emirate issued a decree for the payment of retirees’ pensions. However, there have been no recent updates on its implementation, and details remain unclear.

Retirees Protest in Kabul: ‘We Want Our Rights’
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Afghanistan Among Countries in Proposed US Visa Ban

This move is part of Trump’s strict immigration policies during his second term in office.

The administration of Donald Trump is considering imposing extensive travel restrictions on citizens of 41 countries, including Afghanistan, for entry into the United States.

According to sources cited by Reuters, these restrictions are categorized into three levels:

1.    Complete visa suspension for 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea.

2.    Partial visa suspension for 5 countries, including Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, which would involve restrictions on tourist, student, and some immigration visas.

3.    Conditional visa suspension for 26 countries, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, where visa issuance will be restricted if security deficiencies are not addressed within 60 days.

The report states that these countries have been given a 60-day deadline to rectify security shortcomings; otherwise, visa issuance for their citizens will be restricted.

This proposal has not yet received final approval from the Trump administration or US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and changes to the list of affected countries may still be made.

This move is part of Trump’s strict immigration policies during his second term in office.

In an October 2023 speech, he had announced his intention to impose restrictions on citizens of Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and any country deemed a threat to US national security.

If finalized, this policy could have far-reaching impacts on travelers, students, and immigrants from dozens of countries and is expected to trigger both domestic and international reactions.

Afghanistan Among Countries in Proposed US Visa Ban
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Islamic Emirate Responds to Concerns Over Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

18 March 2025

In response to remarks made at a UN side event on Afghan women, Khyber stated that such claims are merely an attempt to “mislead public opinion.”

Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, has dismissed concerns from various countries about the situation of women in Afghanistan, calling them “unfounded.”

In response to remarks made at a UN side event on Afghan women, Khyber stated that such claims are merely an attempt to “mislead public opinion.”

Khyber reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to women’s rights, stating: “Since the Islamic Emirate came to power in Afghanistan, it has ensured that all women receive their Islamic rights as prescribed by Sharia law. The Emirate remains committed to protecting women’s rights and has demonstrated this in practice.”

However, some women’s rights activists and political analysts are urging the Islamic Emirate to uphold women’s rights, including the right to education and employment.

Zarif Danishjoo, an advocate, stated: “Our request to the Islamic Emirate is to reopen schools for girls, as education is the only hope for a nation’s future.”

Lima Shirzai, a women’s rights activist, said: “Afghan women and girls want to work like women in other Islamic countries so they can contribute to Afghanistan’s growth and development while playing a role in raising and educating their children.”

Previously, representatives from Canada, the Netherlands, Albania, Australia, and several other countries expressed concerns about the situation of women in Afghanistan. They emphasized that practical steps are needed to ensure women’s rights in the country.

Islamic Emirate Responds to Concerns Over Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
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UNSC to Vote on UNAMA Mission Extension Tomorrow

The Islamic Emirate has yet to respond to the matter. However, it previously deemed last year’s UNAMA mission in Afghanistan as ineffective.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to vote tomorrow (17 March) on a draft resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2026.

According to a report from the council, the draft resolution for UNAMA’s mandate has been presented without any changes to its duties and priorities. The resolution includes key topics such as human rights—especially women’s and girls’ rights—Afghanistan’s economic and humanitarian situation, terrorism, drug trafficking, and the condition of internally displaced persons.

The report further states: “The draft resolution renews UNAMA’s mandate for an additional year without changing its tasks and priorities and also contains preambular language regarding several issues, including human rights, particularly those of women and girls; women, peace and security (WPS); the economic and humanitarian situations in Afghanistan; terrorism; drug trafficking; small arms and light weapons, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees; and the impacts of natural disasters.”

“The extension of UNAMA’s mission is beneficial for Afghanistan, as it serves as a gateway for relations with the United Nations and other countries. Given Afghanistan’s current global isolation, renewing UNAMA’s mandate is in the country’s best interest,” said Aziz Maarej, a former diplomat.

Despite Security Council members agreeing on extending UNAMA’s mandate without major changes, certain issues remain contentious in the draft resolution. These include development aid, Afghanistan’s frozen central bank assets, commitments, accountability, and environmental concerns.

“They should represent not only the international community but also the Afghan society and convey the aspirations of the Afghan people,” said Enayatullah Hammam, an international relations analyst.

The Islamic Emirate has yet to respond to the matter. However, it previously deemed last year’s UNAMA mission in Afghanistan as ineffective.

UNSC to Vote on UNAMA Mission Extension Tomorrow
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UN: Opium prices in Afghanistan skyrocket to $750 per Kg

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported a significant rise in the price of opium, reaching $750 per kilogram in 2024, ten times more than in 2022. Despite a reduction in production, high prices continue to benefit major drug traffickers.

According to the UN, the reduction in drug production following the Taliban’s ban on opium led to a decrease in heroin and opium trafficking, with seizures of these substances dropping by about 50% since 2021.

The UNODC stated that the high price per kilogram still generates large profits, mainly benefiting high-level traders and exporters within organized criminal groups.

The UN’s report estimated Afghanistan’s opium stockpiles at approximately 13,200 tons by the end of 2022, enough to meet demand for Afghanistan’s opium until 2027.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UNODC, emphasized that the rising price of opium and substantial reserves indicate that drug trafficking in Afghanistan remains a highly profitable illegal business.

Waly added that the profits from drug trafficking flow to transnational organized crime groups, contributing to instability in Afghanistan, the region, and beyond. Addressing this issue requires a coordinated strategy that targets trafficking networks while investing in sustainable economic alternatives for farmers.

The UN highlighted that before the reduction in poppy cultivation, Afghanistan’s opium reserves could have been worth between $4.6 billion and $5.9 billion, representing 23-29% of the country’s GDP in 2023. This could help mitigate some of Afghanistan’s economic problems following the Taliban’s return to power.

UN: Opium prices in Afghanistan skyrocket to $750 per Kg
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EU: Access to Healthcare Services crucial for women and girls in Afghanistan

The European Union (EU) delegation in Afghanistan has stated that access to healthcare services for Afghan women and girls is essential.

The EU delegation in Afghanistan emphasized on Thursday, March 13, that ensuring access to healthcare services for Afghan women and girls is crucial, especially amid ongoing challenges they face.

The delegation mentioned that, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), over 95,000 Afghan women have received outpatient care for infectious diseases, and more than 7,700 of them have received inpatient services.

The statement emphasized: “Strengthening Afghanistan’s healthcare system is vital for an effective response to disease outbreaks. The EU supports enhancing diagnostic and treatment services for infectious diseases nationwide to improve patient health outcomes.”

The EU delegation also noted that its programs have contributed to training healthcare staff, with over 581 women gaining new skills in mental health, 41 in infection prevention and control, and laboratory techniques, thus improving the quality of healthcare services.

The EU’s five-day campaign on International Women’s Day focused on supporting Afghan women, especially in the face of significant challenges posed by the Taliban’s restrictions. These restrictions have severely impacted women’s access to healthcare services, pushing the situation toward collapse.

The Taliban’s restrictive policies on women have significantly affected their access to healthcare services, pushing the healthcare system to the brink of collapse and causing widespread distress.

EU: Access to Healthcare Services crucial for women and girls in Afghanistan
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They crossed the world to reach the US. Now deported under Trump, they’re stuck in Panama

By  MATÍAS DELACROIX and MEGAN JANETSKY

PANAMA CITY (AP) — They crossed oceans to get to the U.S., fleeing conflict, religious persecution, poverty and government crackdowns in countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Cameroon, China, Pakistan and Iran.

After flying to Central and South America, they bused through countries where they didn’t speak the language and walked through unfamiliar jungle to get to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Within days, they were detained and put on military aircraft that flew nearly 300 of them to Panama as U.S. President Donald Trump sought to accelerate deportations to more complicated destinations.

Panama was supposed to be a stopover. But for those unwilling to return home — mostly out of well-founded fear — Panama sent them to a guarded camp without access to lawyers in the same Darién jungle many had crossed months earlier on their way north.

“It feels like the whole world is crushing down on me. It’s like everything is stopping,” said Isha Len, a 29-year-old from Cameroon. “I risked everything, my life, everything, crossing the Darién Gap, just to be sent back.”

Here are the stories that some of the deportees told The Associated Press:

Isha Len, 29, Cameroon

After conflict broke out in her small town, Len crossed Cameroon by car and minibus, then a fisherman friend carried her four hours by boat to Nigeria.

Len, a schoolteacher, flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she said authorities detained her for a month in the airport. From there, she wound north through South America by bus, following other migrants until they reached the Darién Gap.

She walked days through the dangerous jungle that divides Colombia and Panama before boarding buses that carried her through Central America. After being kidnapped for days by a gang in Guatemala, she crossed into southern Mexico, where she took a boat along the Pacific coast to evade authorities. After she landed, she rode eight hours to Mexico City, continuing on by bus and car to Tijuana.

She crossed the U.S. border and presented herself to American authorities.

Artemis Ghasemzadeh, 27, Iran

Artemis Ghasemzadeh left her country in January, fleeing after converting from Islam to Christianity – something that could cost Ghasemzadeh her life in Iran. She flew to Dubai, where she stayed two weeks and then took a flight to South Korea.

From there she flew to Mexico City, staying there for three weeks before going to Tijuana. She crossed the U.S. border on Feb. 9, and was detained for five days, including her birthday.

“For changing your religion, your punishment is death,” she said. “We don’t know what will happen.”

Wang Qiu, 53, China

Wang Qiu said he left home after he was imprisoned for three years for speaking out about democracy and human rights issues.

He flew from Beijing to Cuba, then to the small South American country of Suriname. From there, he traveled by land: through Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, before trekking through the Darién Gap.

He moved up through Central America and Mexico before being detained after crossing into the U.S. in San Diego.

Qamar Abdi, 19, Somalia

Qamar Abdi, left for the U.S. on Aug. 17, due to warfare between the government and militants of al-Shabab, which the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist group.

She hopped from buses to shared cars for nearly a month until she reached South Africa. From there, she flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and spent the next six months riding buses north.

When she arrived at the northern tip of Colombia, she traveled six days through the Darién Gap, landing in Panama on New Year’s Day.

She took buses to the southern Mexican border city of Tapachula, where she was temporarily kidnapped and robbed by a gang. To avoid immigration authorities, she traveled hours packed on a boat with other migrants along Mexico’s Pacific coast, then took a bus to Mexico City. She spent two weeks there before driving to Tijuana, where she crossed into the U.S.

Ebrahim Ghezelgechi, 36, Iran

Ebrahim Ghezelgechi fled Iran with his wife, Sahar; 10-year-old daughter, Aylin; and 11-year-old son, Sam, on Nov. 21.

The family flew to Brazil, then to Panama and finally Nicaragua. From there, they took buses north to Guatemala, then crossed into southern Mexico by boat. They rode on top of trains and in buses and vans to get to Tijuana.

After Mexico authorities sent them back to the southern part of the country, they took a plane to the resort area of Los Cabos. There, they were detained, had their passports taken and were sent back south again.

They tried getting north a number of times, punted back by Mexican authorities, before eventually paying a driver to take them to Tijuana.

After crossing into the U.S., they were detained in San Diego for a week.

Samin Haider, 21, Pakistan

Samin Haider left for Dubai in 2023 after violence surged in his region of Parachinar, which borders Afghanistan and has been plagued for decades by conflicts between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslim communities.

Haider was there for 1 1/2 years before the United Arab Emirates canceled visas for Pakistanis.

Haider then flew to Mexico and traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border with the hopes of seeking asylum.

Now deported to Panama, he still hopes to reach the U.S.

Elham Ghaedi, 29, Iran

Elham Ghaedi left on Oct. 21, flying to Brazil and then to Venezuela’s capital Caracas.

She traveled to Colombia, where took a bus north and then walked five days through the Darién Gap.

She stayed 15 days in a migrant camp in southern Panama before taking a bus through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and to Mexico’s southern border. There, migration authorities detained her for six days.

She traveled north to Mexico City, where she spent a month, before boarding a flight to Tijuana. U.S. authorities detained her when she crossed to San Diego.

Hayatullah Omagh, 29, Afghanistan

Omagh fled Afghanistan in 2022 after the takeover of the Taliban because he identified as an atheist and was part of an ethnic minority, something that could put his life in danger.

He first went to Pakistan, where he got a visa for six months, and struggled to get a new one due to his Afghani passport.

He then went to Iran and worked there for 1 1/2 years. But the country wouldn’t accept him as a refugee.

He managed to get a visa to Brazil, which offered a number of Afghan people refuge after the rise of the Taliban and flew to Sao Paulo in 2024.

Hoping to reunite with friends and family in the U.S., Omagh paid smugglers to move him north through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. He trekked through the Darién Gap, then took buses north through Central America to southern Mexico.

Mexican authorities detained him and dropped him back in southern Mexico a few times before he managed to take a flight to Mexico City and later to the U.S., where he was detained.

“After so much time, I’ve lost hope,” he said.

 

They crossed the world to reach the US. Now deported under Trump, they’re stuck in Panama
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